A poster campaign highlighting Nottingham City Council's opposition to a directly elected mayor has been criticised by a government minister.

The Labour-run council has put up 35 posters listing its objections to an elected mayor ahead of a referendum.

Cities Minister Greg Clark said taxpayers' money should not have been used.

The Labour-run council said the posters cost less than £900 and it should be able to put its point of view across.

Mr Clark said: "I don't think it's fair to use public funds when the referendum is there for people to have their say.

"If people want to campaign personally or through political parties that's one thing but I don't think council taxpayers, who are having their council tax put up in Nottingham, should be paying for this."

Nottingham is one of 10 cities that will have a referendum on whether to appoint a directly elected mayor on 3 May.

Councillor Graham Chapman, deputy leader of the city council said: "Because the sites are free we have access to those sites, so we haven't spent a great deal of money on it.

"Government is putting forward its point of view and I think it's up to us to put forward our point of view. That is fair, that is balanced. People deserve that balance."